Filing Your Export Shipments through the Automated Export System (AES)

This electronic filing is referred to as Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing and is required when the value of the commodity classified under each individual Schedule B number is over $2,500, or if there exists a mandatory filing requirement, i.e., an export license is required.  See Foreign Trade Regulation 30.2(a)(1)(iv)* The EEI is submitted to the Automated Export System (AESDirect) hosted on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) platform.

For information on how to register and access the ACE AESDirect filing portal, please refer to the following document.

Tips

Prior to exporting, you should acquire the Schedule B/HTS number for the commodity to be exported. This number can be obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau at 1-800-549-0595, option 2 or by visiting our webpage for the Schedule B search tool and steps.

EEI Filing Requirements 

Filing of the EEI is required regardless of value or destination for the following shipments:

• valued over $2,500 per Schedule B number and is sent from one exporter to one buyer on one calendar day on one carrier; (According to the FTR Section 30.1(c), value is defined as the selling price in U.S. dollars plus inland and domestic freight, insurance, and other charges to the U.S. seaport, airport, or land border port of export);
• requiring an export license, regardless of value or destination;
• subject to the ITAR even if they are exempt from export licensing requirements regardless of value or destination;
• falling under “600 series” of the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) for items enumerated in paragraphs “a to x”;
• requiring license exception-Strategic Trade Authorization (STA); 
• destined for Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria (regardless of value);
• rough diamonds, regardless of value (HTS 7102.10, 7102.21 and 7102.31) and destination;
• used self-propelled vehicles;

Tips 

If the exporter is sending baggage or containers with their personal or household goods valued over $2,500 to a foreign destination, other than Canada, they must file the EEI and provide the ITN to the carrier in accordance with the timeline. 

If the exporter is sending goods through the U.S. Postal Service, they are required to file the EEI when the value of the commodity classified under each individual Schedule B number is over $2,500, or if the export requires a mandatory EEI filing requirement (see above). The exporter should submit the ITN or EEI filing exemption citation to the post office, if applicable.

EEI Filing Exemptions 

• When the value of the commodity classified under each individual Schedule B number is $2,500 or less and mandatory EEI filing is not required.
• Shipments FROM the U.S. to Canada of ANY amount and mandatory EEI filing are not required.
• Shipments TO U.S. possessions, except those territories where EEI filing is required, i.e., between the US and Puerto Rico and from the US to the US Virgin Islands).

Tips

If your shipment is exempt from the EEI filing requirements, you must annotate the commercial document, i.e., air waybill, bill of loading, and invoice with the exemption citation. Annotate “NOEEI” followed by the Foreign Trade Regulation citation, i.e., “NOEEI 30.37(a)” for shipments when the value of each individual Schedule B number is $2,500 or less; “NOEEI; 30.36” for shipments to Canada, etc.

When to File

In most cases, the EEI filing must be made successfully prior to departure.